Former Schenectady industrial site tapped for mixed-use development

The Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency will sell the former Campbell Plastics Plant for $500,000 to local developer Robert Iovinella of Go Ahead Realty LLC of Rotterdam, N.Y., who plans a mix of businesses and homes for the site.

Iovinella has a letter of intent from a national company to build a 7,000-square-foot building on the currently vacant site. He declined to name the company, but said it would bring 10 jobs to the area.

The 23-acre former Campbell Plastics site straddles the Schenectady/Rotterdam border. Iovinella plans to develop the Schenectady portion of the site for commercial use and the Rotterdam portion for housing, which could include condominiums, townhouses or single-family homes.

The plastics plant at the site was demolished in 2003 after the partial collapse of its roof created a safety hazard. The city and county have agreed to accept the $500,000 proceeds from the sale as full payment for the $800,000 owed on the site in outstanding tax liens.

"The County nets $160,000 from this sale and we bring a former industrial site back to new life," said Susan Savage, chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, in a press release. "Eyesores are being erased, old debts are being paid, and new jobs and investment are coming to Schenectady County."

Iovinella has developed the Schermerhorn Hollow Village retail plaza in Rotterdam as well as other retail and residential projects in the region. Across from the Rotterdam Square Mall, Schermerhorn Hollow includes a BJ's, Office Max and other stores.

Iovinella said he's interested in the Campbell's Plastic site because it offers the opportunity to "recycle" an existing parcel.